Middle School: Beyond Stone Soup: Planetary Cuisine, Climate, and Cultivation
SCI-90067
Culinary geology: Explore food's journey from Earth to plate deliciously.
One of the major divisions between humanity and most other organisms is the ability to prepare and cook food so as to extract more nutrition per unit mass. The co-evolution of the plants and animals humans use for food might possibly comprise one of our greatest geologic legacies. In this course we explore the parallels between food and geology, through lessons, horticulture, and preparing a new age – appropriate recipe each day. We emphasize food safety and proper nutrition, while encouraging the exploration of new flavors and new cultures, that is as informative as it is delicious.
Please Note: Meal will include wheat gluten, nuts, soy, dairy, meat, fish, and various spices. Class is designed to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, but we cannot eliminate the presence of some food allergens in the classroom.
What you'll learn
- Understand the natural origins of common food items.
- Safely prepare and cook numerous healthy age - appropriate dishes.
- Describe the origin and fate of common food-based nutrients from the weathering of rocks to fossils.
- Explore historic cultural origins of local foods in San Diego
- Grow and harvest simple culinary ingredients.
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 6/29/2026
- 1st meeting mandatory
- Early enrollment advised
- No visitors permitted
- Pre-enrollment required
Note:
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/20/2026 | Mon | 9:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. | Room 410, Wangenheim Middle School, 9230 Gold Coast Dr, San Diego |
| 7/21/2026 | Tue | 9:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. | Room 410, Wangenheim Middle School, 9230 Gold Coast Dr, San Diego |
| 7/22/2026 | Wed | 9:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. | Room 410, Wangenheim Middle School, 9230 Gold Coast Dr, San Diego |
| 7/23/2026 | Thu | 9:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. | Room 410, Wangenheim Middle School, 9230 Gold Coast Dr, San Diego |
| 7/24/2026 | Fri | 9:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. | Room 410, Wangenheim Middle School, 9230 Gold Coast Dr, San Diego |
Instructor:
Sasha Carter
BS in Earth Science, PhD in Geological Science,
Dr. Sasha Peter Carter (he/his/him) joined Sally Ride Science Junior Academy in 2016 to create the kinds of science classes he always wished existed – classes that emphasize direct, hands-on interactions with physical science phenomena; classes that get students doing science in the first 15 minutes; classes that foster a collaborative learning community; classes that put students in the driver's seat and give them ownership over their discoveries. His Junior Academy instruction began with Messy Science in 2016 and now includes five different workshops. Sasha brings to the classroom eight years of post-doctoral research in Antarctic water systems and more than five years of teaching students of all ages. When he's not working for Sally Ride Science, he’s teaching Earth science at local colleges and exploring the natural wonders around us.
